?best battery charger-in garage

Kistler · 12-20-2007, 08:26 AM

I think my old Schauer battery charger is ruining my batteries......but now it quit completely.

What is the cheapest, best, battery charger for use on my trailer batteries? "Smart, tapered" etc., is confusing

What do you use?

I take my batteries out and bring them home to my garage. I have been putting them on a table and connecting my charger about every 2 months.

This a.m. the charger won't register anything on the dial???? One battery worked but the other seems to "short-out" the charger. I had it on "automatic"; it is supposed to start high on the dial and work its way to something low......

I am on my second set of Interstate SRM-27s. My charger seems to boil the batteries when it worked..... Maybe I have needed a new charger for a long time.

Inland RV Center, In · 12-20-2007, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kistler

I think my old Schauer battery charger is ruining my batteries......but now it quit completely.

What is the cheapest, best, battery charger for use on my trailer batteries? "Smart, tapered" etc., is confusing

What do you use?

I take my batteries out and bring them home to my garage. I have been putting them on a table and connecting my charger about every 2 months.

This a.m. the charger won't register anything on the dial???? One battery worked but the other seems to "short-out" the charger. I had it on "automatic"; it is supposed to start high on the dial and work its way to something low......

I am on my second set of Interstate SRM-27s. My charger seems to boil the batteries when it worked..... Maybe I have needed a new charger for a long time.

"ALL" cheap chargers will boil batteries, since they do not have a "brain."

A new way to keep the charge up on batteries, is to install a small solar charger.

That will keep the batteries "topped off" without overcharging.

The only problem, is the charger needs sun light.

If you can wire it to be in the sun, you have solved the problem.

Small solar charges that work are as cheap as $20.00.

Andy

Kistler · 12-20-2007, 11:49 AM

I appreciate the advice

Solar would be nice but I like to have the batteries out of the trailer and home in the garage during the winter. At home I would have to run an exposed line outside probably, to the roof.

Does a Battery Minder Plus Surcharge IV qualify as acceptable? ....they are only $46.50 on the internet

Kistler

gowyn · 12-20-2007, 12:07 PM

I've been using Battery tender or minders for years now, never had any problems.

Kistler · 12-20-2007, 01:05 PM

Have you connected two, together on one BatteryMINDERplus?

Kistler

Bambi75th · 12-20-2007, 01:24 PM

I use a BatteryTenderPlus on two batteries connedted in parallel. It works just fine.

ROBERT CROSS · 12-20-2007, 04:09 PM

Been using this unit for the last three seasons. Has worked very well

VEC1093A

A flexable 30w solar panel keeps them charged during the season

Vector Battery Charger - vector battery charger

Vector Car Battery Charger - auto car smart battery charger

RDM16CCD · 12-20-2007, 07:59 PM

kistler:
I keep two Group 27 deep cycle batteries on one BatteryMinderplus - seems to work just fine. The instructions say that one charger can take care of up to 4 batteries wired together - but they must be the same rating and size.
Bob

lewster · 12-20-2007, 08:15 PM

One of the best of the 'new breed' of battery chargers is the BatteryMinder model 2248. It has settings for gel, liquid cell or AGM batteries and you can select a charge rate of 2,4 or 8 amps. It will diagnose the batteries condition and will go into auto de-sulfate mode of required.

I have been using them AND installing them as chassis charging systems on stationary MoHos for about a year now. They work great to maintain your batteries when not in use and are a true 3-stage charging system that will not harm your batteries, whatever type you use.

davidz71 · 12-20-2007, 08:33 PM

I used the BatteryMinder (1 amp) on my '77 Excella 500 with two Delco Voyager maintenance free batteries for 4 years and it always kept them charged. The BatteryMinderPlus is a 1.5 amp unit that would also work. I also bought a BatteryMinder which had an output of 4 amps and have used it on vehicles around the house with great success. All three units have my vote, the 4 amp model just gets the job done a little quicker.

68 Overlander · 12-20-2007, 09:00 PM

Kistler,
You threw the word "cheapest" into the equation and that makes if more difficult but we have settled on the VDC BatteryMinder model 12248 for the exact reasons you asked except its $117 instead of a $20 battery boiler.
There is also the Deltran brand "tenders" that are often compared to VDC "Minders" but there really is no comparison when you consider full time desulfation. In addition to the desulfation, consider its settings of 2, 4 or 8 amps. Flooded, AGM, or Gel settings WITH temperature compensation and you just can't find a better or a more versitile garage or shop unit or I would already carry it.

Kistler · 12-21-2007, 07:35 AM

Yes, I agree, I shouldn't have written "cheap/cheapest". I understand cheapest and best aren't in "harmony" in this case.

I shall take your advice and go with the batteryminder type. Now I am looking for a deal.....I want the best for the $, I guess.....sort of the reason we bought an Airstream.

Kistler

Kistler · 12-21-2007, 09:25 AM

I ordered a 12248 from batteryplex.com

It is a Christmas present for Brenda.

Kistler

68 Overlander · 12-21-2007, 10:48 AM

Make sure you also order the ABS 248 temperature sensor that goes with it. We include it but many companies do not.